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The 2007 Boy's Global Challenge demonstrated the possibility and payoff of
international competition for US Youth and Junior players. The exposure to
foreign players, systems, and venues is a proven benefit to developing
volleyball players. With limited exposure to National Team Play, the lack of
a Professional League, and the desire to experience other cultures, the
Global Challenge has established itself as the most complete international
volleyball experience for High School aged boys.
After landing in Venice, Italy, the boys trained for two days in
Professional Training Facilities in Pordenone (Italy). Once in Maribor,
Slovenia, the boys trained and competed in a tournament held in the hosted
by the Slovenian Youth National Team. Driving through Austria, the tour
stopped in Vienna for sightseeing, before pushing on to Prague, Czech
Republic. The Global Challenge ended in Prague after two informal matches
with a local Czech club team.
Looking ahead to next year's tournament, the Global Challenge is once again
expecting to build on the success of this year's experience. The tournament
will return the Northern and Southern California High Performance teams as
well as other Regional High Performance Teams. The Slovenian Youth/Junior
National and the United Arab Emirates Youth Teams will also attend, as well
as several other Youth/Junior National Teams in a 10-12 team tournament.
The location of this tournament will be announced October of 2007.
For some footage from the 2006 GC Finals (SCVA Junior Boys vs. the Slovenian
Youth National Team) please see:
http://www.volleyballmag.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1319
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